“THE AUCTIONEER”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 137, 31 August 1927, Page 14

“THE AUCTIONEER”

COMING TO STRAND “The Auctioneer,” the quaint, appealing story of the life of Simon Levi, which put David Warfield among the foremost dramatic actors when presented on the New York stage by David Belasco, comes in picture form to the Strand Theatre, beginning on Friday. In adapting this play to the screen. Fox Films has kept to the spirit of the original, adding only those necessary touches to bring the story up to date and to make it more intimate and appealing. Alfred E. Green, who directed the production, lost no opportunity to bring in incidents that would strengthen the character of old Simon Levi, the lovable auctioneer, nor did he fail to take advantage of every opportunity to make the picture more human and lifelike. George Sidney, well known for his delineation of Jewish characters, both on the stage and the screen, plays the title role. Marion Nixon has been cast as Ruth Levi, his adopted daughter, and Doris Lloyd plays the part of his wife. Others in the cast are Ward Crane. Gareth Hughes, Sammy Cohen and William Austin. Warner Brothers have signed James J. Jeffries, former heavy-weight champion of the world, to make his first screen appearance. This will be in the role of the hero’s father in “OneRound Hogan,” a tale of the ring in which Monte Blue will star. Betty Bronson’s starring Paramount vehicle, “Ritzy,” is declared to have the same touch of delightful humour that marked “It,” Madame Glyn's first venture into film comedy drama. James Hall is in the supporting cast of the picture, which is being directed by Richard Rosson, on their information they will be allowed five shillings.” It may be all right, but it does not read very nicely. TAKING THE AIR This incident actually happened at a recent studio concert: The after having presented a new artist, turned to him and said, “All right, take the air.” The artist’s face rapidly ran the gamut of all the emotions from surprise to disappointment and disgust; then lie dejectedly walked away. The announcer concluded that he had been misunderstood and ran after him to explain that round the studio the expression “take the air” had a decidedly different meaning than that accorded to it in the vernacular. AERIAL IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE The new high-power station in Berlin is to have aerial towers 2,160 feet high. Midway up is to be a restaurant with a slowly revolving floor. This tower will be more than twice the height of the famous Eiffel Tower, which supports the aerial wires of the big Parisian stations. STUNTS FROM 2BL Station 2BL has been offering weekly prizes for the best suggestions in the way of broadcasting “stunts.” Some quaint proposals are being made, such as: “My suggestion is that you put on the air a representation of the flood. It would not entail much expense.

Your staff could carry out the whole .programme without much assistance. Uncle George would make a fine Noah. He could be heard building an Ark. Uncle Bass Bimbo and Daddy Long Legs could help as members of Noah’s family, before the deluge. Your famous animal imitator could act the part for most of the animals. And as for the rain, that would not be a difficult matter. What about something like this?” Other suggestions are a mock trial, a mock marriage, a broadcast from a train describing the passing scenery. Yet another suggested the well-known Sunday afternoon orators in the Sydney Domain, but the police would not allow this when 2BL proposed it. DOMINION CONFERENCE A proposed conference is being called in Welilngton to consider the formation of a Dominion listeners’ organisation. The two Canterbury societies are not sending delegates, as they consider that more good can be done by studying the whole situation and adopting a friendly attitude to the Broadcasting Company rather than by a general condemnation and a call for Government ownership. The writer hardly sees why this conference should be as they suggest, but agrees that such a Dominion organisation is quite unnecessary and much more good can be done by staying at home and considering the local problems, particularly in view of the new position whereby the listeners will come into intimate contact with the local station’s policy.